The Effect of Course Selection and Course Experience on Students’ Learning Style Preference

The Effect of Course Selection and Course Experience on
Students’ Learning Style Preference
Jamaliah Said
Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia
Erlane K Ghani
Corresponding Author Faculty of Accountancy/ Accounting Research Institute Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia
E-mail: erlanekg@yahoo.com
Tel: +60162099151
AbstractUsing questionnaire survey on accounting and engineering undergraduate students, this study examines whether course selection and course experience could influence their learning style preference. Four types of learning style identified in Kolb’s model: converger, diverger, assimilator, accommodator were examined. The results show that courses enrolled by students could influence their learning style, particularly, the accommodator students. The results also show that the length of experience in a course influence students’ learning style and the influence is significant on the converger students. The key findings in this study is the realisation that course selection and course experience may play an important role in influencing students’ learning style. Therefore, it could be implied that learning style could be cultivated and not inborn. The finding of this study provides some hindsight to academics and universities on the importance of understanding students’ learning style preference in enhancing their performance. Keywords: Learning style, LSI, course selection, course experience, undergraduate students.

1. IntroductionIt is well acknowledged that education environment is an important element in determining students’ ability to reach to their fullest quality (Rutter et al., 1979; Bealing Jr et al., 2006). Within the education environment, the establishment and identifying students’ learning style has often been recognised in the education system. The importance of learning style could help academics to understand students’ preference of learning that could assist in selecting appropriate instructional methods and educational...